Any witches here?

[speakout]

Or Wiccans. or Pagans?

I was raised as a witch- my grandmother was born in 1890 and taught me how to scry, knotwork, many magical activities. She was a dresser of the dead and a lay midwife ( before the NHS).
I now practice my craft with enthusiasm.
A little tricky as my extended family are not supportive.

That looks amazing UnapologeticallyUnhinged, thanks for sharing.

Beautiful altar! Thank you so much for sharing.

Happy Lammas all! 🌻
Wishing you all an abundant harvest

Another Autumn lover here! I love this change of season the most and look forward to fresh bright days ahead.

Great news about the news from the hospital appointment SheStoodInTheStorm, very pleased to hear that.

I had an important meeting yesterday. After I left the house I felt drawn to return and grab a laboridite crystal to have with me. Popped it in my bra and went to the meeting. I'm pleased to say that it was productive, inspiring and positive. Awaiting further outcomes but I can feel that it's going to be good.

Loved your beautiful words about the change in season and the guardian trees speakout. Wonderful.
Also love the idea of freezing out worries, I'll have to try that.

So many troublemakers banished to the freezer! That'll teach 'em- don't mess with the witches!

Sorry to hear things are tough at home LARLARLAND if it were me I'd carry on with the cleansing work, and incorporate some uplifting positive symbols into the home. Whatever resonates with you. I like bees for everyone working harmoniously together, oak/acorns for strength, keys for security etc. Burning citrus oils for lightening the vibe. Rosemary and Lime together are my go-to when I need a lift.

Hello sproutina! 👋

That'll teach 'em- don't mess with the witches!

LARLARLAND
How are things at home now?

Any better.

I get a lot of stuff breaking down when Mercury is retrograde, things going missing, mistakes with banks and bills, electrical equipment breaking.
I like to use Rosemary in the home when Mercury is going haywire.

I have a sun/mercury combust conjunction in my natal chart, within a few seconds,, so I have to play things carefully!

Things are settling down a little although there is still a lot of upset swirling around and I had some more really bad news yesterday which was a further blow. I am trying to be positive but I wonder if I try too hard sometimes and should just let things be?
When does Mercury stop messing things up?
Thanks too for the great suggestions.

Mercury will be retrograde until the 18th August.

I find most disruption happens within a few days of it becoming retrograde, although it will stay that way for a couple of weeks yet things should get calmer- my experience anyway.

I hope so speakout. It's been a troubling time to say the least.

LARLARLAND I am sorry to hear that.

Have you tried any spell work?

First of the night's guests arrives in about an hour so I'm seizing the chance of a quick sit down and cup of tea.

The bannocks are made, the bread man is cooling and the sacrificial feast almost done (cheated a bit there!)

Just need to finish the incense and I think I'm ready(ish)

Happy Lammas everyone!

Hi speakout. I haven't tried anything except the binding spell and the white sage idea.
If you have any suggestions I would be grateful. It feels that we are cursed. Whatever we try, we seem to not succeed (not just me, everybody in the house). Even if we are much better than other people, we seem to be overlooked. It's become a habit and a bit of a running joke but I am worried it's getting us down and we are all starting to suffer. I hope that makes sense?

LARLARLAND you could try a curse removal spell?

Elphame your evening sounds lovely.

I will do and I'll let you know if it works.

Just wanted to introduce myself properly.

I'm a fledgling witch really, and another atheist.

Witchcraft as I practise it is all wrapped up with my body's connection to the natural world, and feminism.

Lots I could bore on about, but I'm quite ill at the moment, and very much still in the mother phase, so I just wanted to share our Lammas rituals with you. They are focussed in healing (for me) and abundance (we are facing pinching challenges currently). The other main focus is grounding myself in the now and just drinking in my children.

I set my salt cleansing bowl out three days ago (loved the video upthread) with a piece of Cornish slate which holds much significance for me. I'm planning to release the water into a nearby stream tomorrow.

DD and I made gingerbread men, and I've spent a while today designing a health and abundance sigil, which I'm going to paint onto them with honey when they come out of the oven.

We've collected grass heads to make a corn dolly, and went blackberrying for a crumble.

I've also made a pasty pie, with my attempt at a pastry corn wreath on the top.

As you can see, I'm fairly kitchen-y and hedgerow-y, but I really want to learn more of the craft from more experienced folk to deepen my practice. How grateful I was to find this thread!

Sproutina how lovely!
I am I'm fairly kitchen-y and hedgerow-y too- pottering is my favourite activity.

I am in transition between mother and crone- having spent the last 20 years in the mother zone I am enjoying the energy of the change- both physically and supporting my children as they get ready to fly.

Have a lovely evening.

Thank you speakout

I'm grateful for this stage in my life, but also looking forward to (hopefully) some more space & tranquility further along the line! Crone-dome sounds pretty ok to me.

Your Lammas sounds lovely Spoutina. I love the honey sigil - I may have to borrow that idea

Feeling a bit subdued this morning - nothing to do with the empty bottles of Elderflower mead, sloe gin and nettle liqueur I'm sure....

LARLARLAND I'm sorry things keep going wrong for you. Can I ask if you have had so many now do that, that you are expecting things to go wrong (even subconsciously)? The mind set that you are in when you perform magic is so important and it's very easy to undermine yourself (a self curse really). I learned that myself the hard way!

Elphame I think there is probably some truth in that. I am usually an incredibly positive person and I do try to approach everything with a positive mindset but I think I have listened too much to my inner voice which doubts that anything good will come from my efforts to succeed.

LARLARLAND do you use Tarot?

I find great guidance from Tarot at times like this.

Just a single card draw, you don't need to do a spread.
Meditate or think over your situation as you shuffle the cards and with the cards face down choose one.

I don’t use tarot. I wouldn’t know where to start. I find it fascinating though.

You can use tarot a little, a lot, never, or anything inbetween.

Many decks come with a book to explain what the cards mean and how to use them.
They can be useful in many ways, for divination, for spell work, or just an aid and support to every day life.
Like having a wise old auntie who can see situations from an angle you may not have considered before, but turns out to be hugely helpful.
I find tarot a very useful tool.

I have two tarot decks. A Harmonious Tarot and a Wytchwood Oracle. I use the latter far more often as I connect with it better. I started with a one card draw, and then progressed to a simple three card (past/present/future) draw.
I use it in a very basic way, I don't think it is a medium that I will ever be really proficient.
Without fail if I draw both decks the same day I get the same message.

I much prefer my ogham staves though, I think I connect with the wood more deeply.

queenrollo did you make your ogham staves ?

speakout no I didn't.
They were a very surprise Yule gift from my husband. He really is not into my path AT ALL but he spent ages researching my gifts that year and he thought I would like the wood better than a set of rune stones.